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jessmarie_2015's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book had so much potential, but it really fell flat for me due to the constant body shaming of practically every character but the guy-best-friend love interest. It didn't matter if a character was larger, super skinny, or had a completely average body type.
Dayna would find something to judge about their appearance, doesn't matter if it's some random person on the street or her best girlfriends. Oh, and in case you forget, you'll be reminded multiple times that Dayna has had a boob job.
The story itself, however, did have potential. I really liked the idea of the plot and the added stakes of Dayna being on a time crunch to save her parents' home. As far as that went, it was a pretty good story with an exciting plot.
Granted there were some stretches at the end, such as there is no way a journalist is getting in to do an exclusive interview with someone awaiting indictment. They'd be laughed right out of the jail for even trying. And unless the time-skip was longer than I thought, the process of an arrest to a murder sentence does not happen that fast.
If it weren't for Dayna's judgemental attitude making her so unlikeable, I'd consider continuing the series.
Dayna would find something to judge about their appearance, doesn't matter if it's some random person on the street or her best girlfriends. Oh, and in case you forget, you'll be reminded multiple times that Dayna has had a boob job.
The story itself, however, did have potential. I really liked the idea of the plot and the added stakes of Dayna being on a time crunch to save her parents' home. As far as that went, it was a pretty good story with an exciting plot.
Granted there were some stretches at the end, such as there is no way a journalist is getting in to do an exclusive interview with someone awaiting indictment. They'd be laughed right out of the jail for even trying. And unless the time-skip was longer than I thought, the process of an arrest to a murder sentence does not happen that fast.
If it weren't for Dayna's judgemental attitude making her so unlikeable, I'd consider continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Addiction
tostita's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia
herelieshenry's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a solid mystery and a decently enjoyable book, but you can definitely see the way Garrett’s work has improved since this (her debut) in her more recent work (see Missing White Woman and Like a Sister). The characters here are endearing and flawed, making them relatively lovable for me, and the mystery is compelling enough to keep my attention. There’s definitely issues (the recurring element of unnecessary body shaming being the most notable), but as that appears less and less in her more recent work, I’m still excited to finish her backlog and see what Garrett writes in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Car accident
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
Flippant language around eating disorders; Addiction stigma; Blackmailsocial_eyes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Car accident
Minor: Violence and Murder
jackiepreston's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Murder